Prosecuting attorney in the Manson trial Vincent Bugliosi held a unique insider's position in one of the most baffling and horrifying cases of the 20th century: the cold-blooded Tate-LaBianca murders carried out by Charles Manson and four of his followers. What motivated Manson in his seemingly mindless selection of victims, and what was his hold over the young women who obeyed his orders? Now available for the first time in unabridged audio, the gripping story of this famous and haunting crime is brought to life by acclaimed narrator Scott Brick.

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Publisher's Summary

Prosecuting attorney in the Manson trial Vincent Bugliosi held a unique insider's position in one of the most baffling and horrifying cases of the 20th century: the cold-blooded Tate-LaBianca murders carried out by Charles Manson and four of his followers. What motivated Manson in his seemingly mindless selection of victims, and what was his hold over the young women who obeyed his orders? Now available for the first time in unabridged audio, the gripping story of this famous and haunting crime is brought to life by acclaimed narrator Scott Brick.

This is one of those books that just grabs you and won't let you go. I've read it at least 3 times in the last 30 years and now I can just listen to it while I waste my life stuck on the freeway. And to have Scott Brick do the narration is awesome. He really keeps it alive, although the book itself is just plain fascinating. I've been holding out for the unabridged version and here it is. 10 stars!

As someone who remembers the murders and the circus that followed, I was not sure that I would be able to sit through such a lengthy rendition of the story. When I saw that Scott Brick was the narrator, I knew it would be a breeze. His style and pace are brilliant. Even when I listen at double-speed on my iPhone, I can grasp every syllable, and in this book, every syllable is relevant.

Written during the time-period in which the crimes took place there is not a lot of time wasted setting up the ambiance of the time, which was quite unique. I think that this still comes across thirty-odd years later.

Never a fan of Vincent Bugliosi, finding him arrogant in most interviews I have seen, I have now learned to appreciate how much work and skill went into getting convictions in an impossible case. This is especially impressive when you realize the way the Tate investigators botched the case from the start.

The writers weave each thread into a tapestry that captures this dreadful part of history. I am so glad Audible made the unabridged version available.

I must say that as an avid book reader, I was doubtful whether I could ever get used to audio books. But I have certainly done so. As someone who travels a lot as part of my job, listening to books in the car has made the trips so much more enjoyable - and this is an engrossing read! Helter Skelter is not the type of book I usually read, but I do vividly recall the Sharon Tate/LaBianca murders and thought it would be interesting - and how! Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry have done an excellent work on the entire tale from the awful murders to the final sentencing and beyond. Yes, it is a terrible thing which happened and the book doesn't flinch from that but overall one is left with a gripping and well-researched story which brings all the individuals involved to life.

By contrast with hardcopy books which one reads for oneself, the role of the Narrator is so vital in making an audio book enjoyable or not. Scott Brick does a masterful job at this. His reading speed is just right as is his tone and inflection. I would certainly look for books narrated by Mr Brick again. His reading is pivotal to the accessibility and overall enjoyment of this book. Five stars all around.

The narrator's treatment of the material just adds to the creepiness of this already excellent work. Seriously, the intensity of the narrator's voice had me turn the lights back on when I listened to the first segment describing the grisly events ... If you're not a squeamish person and can enjoy the dark and macabre from time to time, this is a must have.

First read the book in the 70's when I was very young and the attraction was the Hollywood angle since I had just seen Sharon Tate in Valley of the Dolls. This re-read as an older woman gave chills when I understood the dark world of those lost creatures of the era. That I actually felt sorry for one of the women that recently died of cancer makes me realize how much I had forgotten about this story. Bugliosi gives very pertinent and detailed biographical accounts that help to understand what may have contributed to the moral disintegration of the murderers. But it's scary stuff when you think that there may be some more cults out there breeding this disregard for society. Fascinating read.

I was two years out of law school in 1969, working in the governor's office in Sacramento. In Northern California we were still living in fear over another monster, the Zodiac Killer -- another vicious apparently 'random' killer who was never identified. Unlike the Zodiac, Manson and his family were captured -- which made his case all that much more interesting, garnering the attention of almost everyone for months on end. I followed it closely -- or thought I did. I read Bugliosi's book soon after it came out and remember loving it, loving access to the details about the "family" he provided that I hadn't known before.

How time changes things. What I loved about the book in the 1970's were the personal elements, biographical details about the "family's" lives, who they were, how they got caught up in the insanity, much of which hadn't been widely available at the time.

Now, listening to Scott Brick's elegant, almost respectful, narration, I see something entirely different. Now -- in light of another judicial fiasco out of Los Angeles -- what captures my attention was the horrendous incompetence of the Los Angeles judicial system.

Now, all I can do is compare the Manson case to the O.J. Simpson case, in which (if you can believe this) bad as it was, the LAPD comes off looking pretty good as compared to Manson. In Manson, there were so much mismanagement, elemental mistakes, goofs and just plain incompetence of the LAPD, it's a wonder any of them were convicted of anything.

There's no question in my mind that if Manson went to trial today in LA, on the evidence available back then, he would never be convicted. Juries back then were, I think, more rational, more justice-based, than they are today. Today, I think the defense would be able to capitalize on the unbelievable errors, loose ends, mishandling of the evidence, incompetence in handling the evidence -- from everyone, the medical examiner, the police, and the detectives. Today, a jury would focus in on all those errors and mistakes. Back then, the jury focused on the big picture. Did these people do what they were alleged to have done? In short, they kept the defendants on trial. They didn't feel the need to try the LAPD instead.

Much credit goes to Vince Bugliosi himself, of course. His oft-repeated frustration with the total lack of trial support he was getting makes for fascinating reading. Working 14 hour days, being forced into doing much of the leg work himself after the LAPD failed or refused to do it -- or just lost it, after they did do it -- you get a real feel for the seat-of-the-pants lawyering that was possible back then. The world has changed. That wouldn't work anymore -- and on the whole, life in the US is the poorer and more dangerous for it.

All in all, "Helter Skelter" is a fascinating look at a monumental trial that still plays ranks high in legal mythology. It's a key part of American cultural history that's well worth reading, rereading or listening to.

Even though it's a story and outcome I thought I was totally aware of, the act of proving Charles Manson guilty proved to be an all-encompassing story; a story that Scot Brick's unparalleled narration, turned it into a masterpiece. As Scott Brick is my favorite male narrator*, it took me little more than 15 minutes to go from reading the email-announcement of Scott Brick's Reading of Helter Skelter, to the act of purchasing and downloading it.. 30 minutes later I began listening to chapter 1 of part one and could do little more than to listen until I reached the story's conclusion. I reacted so quickly because I believe Scott Brick to be the industry's #1 male narrator.
Barry

I thought this book might be old rehash. It was NOT. A total detailed factual account from A to Z on the case. Murders, investigation, trial and background. Few books have you sitting on the edge of your seat. This would be a great around the camp fire scary read. One of my best audible purchases I've made. Total addiction thru out the story. Can't wait to re listen cause you will no doubt want to go thru this at least twice. I don't know what was more shocking... the murders or the terribly botched up investigation that followed. So many hard clues, and so many people wanted to talk, but the detectives just did not care to listen. Shocking that this case was ever solved by such botched investigation.

I have read and reread this book many times, and have always been horrified, saddened, but have always had to read from end to end. Scott Brick's narration is clear, crisp, and well suited for the material. Excellent to have it finally on audio.

The late 60's and early 70's is such a fascinating period to me. I was born in the midst of that time, but don't have much recollection of it. Maybe it's because I don't understand that era, but it seems absolutely inconceivable that a little (5'2"), crazy guy who just got out of prison could "recruit" so many nice-looking young women to do ANYTHING he wanted them to. After the book ended I have spent a lot of time pondering how this could have happened. It is a truly amazing story.

If you like learning about history, and crime stories you've got to listen to this book. Since finishing it I've spent a lot more time Googling the different characters in an effort to learn more about them, and what made them act the way they did.

I highly recommend this book. It's a big plus that the story is written by the prosecuting attorney in the case. He has lots of inside information he shares throughout the book that helps you feel like you are getting the whole story.

Really brilliant book and very well narrated. I was sad to see it come to an end. For such heavy and horrific subject matter it is written in a way that gives an amazing insight into the 'mind' of evil and the power of cults...a really good buy, wouldn't hesitate to recommend to those who like true crime.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

john

liverpool, United Kingdom

3/28/12

Overall

"great book"

have to agree with previous reviewer, a great book well read and detailed, well it would be it was written by the prosecuting attourny 'vincent bugliosi' i enjoyed every minite of the almost 27 hours and will deffinatly be giving it another listen, would recomend this book to anyone curious of how/why sheep follow loonies and see them as gods.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Sara

Portsmouth

12/23/12

Overall

"Rich and detailed writing style"

An intensely detailed examination of one of the most shocking and culturally defining murders in American history. The rich and detailed writing style doesn't hamper the readers progress like in so many other books of this type. An intriguing story well narrated by Scott Brick.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Eugene

New Ash Green, United Kingdom

12/18/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Evil: Step by Step"

Would you consider the audio edition of Helter Skelter to be better than the print version?

In both print and on audio the book becomes more and more engrossing as it develops. It's length makes the audio version preferable for a second reading. There is so much detail only an unabridged version is acceptable.

What did you like best about this story?

The detail of the story, what might be described as the boring work of detection that a fiction thriller would leave out is the most compelling aspect of the story. Detectives, as they say, 'work the case' and in Helter Skelter it's clear what this really means. There's also a sense of people reacting to a murder in different ways,creating their own version of events when they don't know the truth, being unable to see the truth, because they have created their own narrative of the crime. What comes through step by step is the sense of evil: of people being able to decide and plan and want to murder, and to believe they have the right to murder. The facts of the case are famous, but the detail is what makes an engrosssing and morally insightful story.

Have you listened to any of Scott Brick’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I recognize the name Scott Brick, but don't track my audio books by performance. Brick's reading is slow and steady and clear. Some might say that this is not dramatic enough, but it would be a betrayal of the book to give it an over-dramatic reading. Brick also avoids any sort of accents or performance for the dialogue, which is also the right approach.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I read the book in print many years ago and decided to revisit it in audio. At 26 hours its not a book for a single sitting. Its a book I will listen to for an hour and then leave for some time, treating it more like a serial than single story. 26 parts is a long tale. Also there are a lot of people and events. Its more involving to mull over events, rather than consume them at one gulp. The book is structured to move slowly towards the killers, chronologically, this does work as a dramatic device. The public history means that you know who will be convicted, but the book recreates this process, giving you a sense that how things turned out were not always inevitable and clear.

Any additional comments?

A book like Donna Tartt's The Secret History, a fictional crime story, is lauded as a literary work, and this is justified. There's always some sense that a true crime story is more sensationalist and morally tawdry compared to true literature. There is badly written true crime, but Helter Skelter is written with the detail and diligence that makes it a great book. It's a social novel, about people who lived and worked in Hollywood in the sixties and a study of a 'cult'. Both these topics are often treated superficially, but in working from the facts, using the development as the investigation as an insight into the people, their motives and personality become understood.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Maureen

11/5/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Detailed and fascinating"

What made the experience of listening to Helter Skelter the most enjoyable?

The subject matter was well re-told by the author who was objective and clearly had a thorough knowledge of this famous crime.

Well read.

What did you like best about this story?

The subject itself of the Manson Family and their killings

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Michael Champion

Nottinghamsshire UK

10/8/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Detailed and gripping"

If you could sum up Helter Skelter in three words, what would they be?

Fascinating, engaging and detailed

What was one of the most memorable moments of Helter Skelter?

The description of the two murder sites (and the casual way the killers acted then and in court). That is two really but hey.

Have you listened to any of Scott Brick’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No I have not listened to this narrator elsewhere

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

All the facts - balanced and delivered

Any additional comments?

If you enjoy 'true crime' then this is an important book for you. Even though the author was the prosecutor he gives a balanced account of the events and evidence. A good book well told.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

jennycola

Middlesex UK

7/17/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Great book, well read"

Would you listen to Helter Skelter again? Why?

Yes. Although its long I wasn't bored at all. I was interested from start to finish and the details about the crimes and people are interesting enough to want to hear again.

What other book might you compare Helter Skelter to, and why?

I've not listened to anything like this before but would definitely look for others now

Which character – as performed by Scott Brick – was your favourite?

I found all the characters (people) equally interesting for their own reasons

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Listening to the testimonies during the trial

Any additional comments?

I didn't know any details about Charles Manson only the name. It's so true what is said towards the end... listen ;) Next stop The Beatles album...

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Laurence

Perth, United Kingdom

7/1/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"More like a report than a story"

What disappointed you about Helter Skelter?

Despite being described as 'the true story' and the use of the expression 'brings to life', the first 6 hours of this book consisted of over elaborate and detailed narration of the steps in the investigation and the evidence in the case. I appreciate it is a true account, but I expected it to be told with the colour and characterisation of a story rather than in the mundane style of a police report. I gave up after the first 6 hours. Maybe the next 20 might change the perspective or 'bring it to life' as promised. I don't have the stamina to find out. Sorry.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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